If you haven't seen A23 perform live this year, here's your last opportunity as posted on A23's website:

"Assemblage 23 will headline a roster that also includes Rectractor (in their first Los Angeles appearance) and Manufactura side project Broken Fabiola (performing an exclusive set of new material). The show will be Thursday, November 13th at Klub Terminal @ Leonardo's located at 831 S. La Brea Ave. Admission is 18+ and $15. Doors open early (8PM)."

Tom will likely perform material off his upcoming album as he suggested for his upcoming Canadian performance, so consider me envious of all that get to go.

As posted on Assemblage 23's site:
"23db Records, the independent electronic music label run by Assemblage 23's Tom Shear, is proud to announce the addition of Sweden's Burikusu!!! to the label's roster. The band will release their debut album, entitled 2080, on 23db Records later this fall as both a physical CD and via digital distribution."

I first learned of Burikusu!!! on a myspace posting by backandtotheleft (also on 23db Records before they went kaput) but have been hooked since. Their music doesn't really sound like anything else out there, in a wonderful way. This is pretty much the best possible scenario as I love Tom Shear's production work. Expect 2080 to punch you in the face repeatedly with its complete awesomeness. Until then, we're stuck looping the tracks they have posted on Burikusu!!! Myspace

UPDATE: Rejoice, as posted on Burikusu's Myspace on Sept. 13th:

"Hey People!
The album will come out in mid november, a more accurate releasedate will come up as soon as we know!

I saw these guys open for Covenant and they put on a really solid show. It's worth your while to catch them if they are coming anywhere near your abode, and with the ambitious number of dates on their schedule, I imagine that will be likely.

Imperative Reaction - Minus All - North American Tour
With Special Guests [:SITD:] and Aesthetic Perfection

Psyche sent me a tip announcing the release of their cover of Disorder by Joy Division to celebrate 25 years rocking out. Anyone who can survive 25 years doing this stuff deserves massive respect. You can enjoy the track on YouTube.

"Psyche's new single for 2008, a cover version of the great Joy Division showcasing a whole new sound for Psyche produced by 2Grad and released as a 7" single from the forthcoming album. Digital Download here: http://indiestore.7digital.com/psyche"

Long time no typey typey. Real life has been catching up with me. On a more positive note, Andrew Sega from Iris has released a recording he made of a live duet of Watching Over You done by Seabound and Reagan Jones from Iris. It was recorded during their recent tour which I got to enjoy at their Chicago date. It was fabulous! Reagan's vocals were considerably better than the first time I saw them perform, and sounded beautiful. He sings better now than when they recorded their albums which I found hard to believe. I suspect touring is to blame for that.

Wolfsheim's website has finally been updated after almost a year and a half break. The news, unfortunately, is dire for the band. Band member Markus Reinhardt is suing singer Peter Heppner in German court to get Heppner out of the band due to Heppner's exclusive contract with Warner Brothers that was signed in 2005. The contract prevents Heppner from working with Reinhardt on Wolfsheim so Reinhardt wants to replace him. I'm so sad to hear this news and wish it had worked out differently. The case is ongoing and I'll post updates as I learn them.